An inaugural workshop held on 25-26th August 2009 in Palmerston North marked the initiation of the NZLCM Centre. The event titled 'The Role and Importance of LCM in Land Based Industries™' was well attended by forty practitioners and researchers from around NZ. The first day was a full agenda of ten expert presentations, on the second day Crown Research Institute teams presented their interests and focus areas. A new Professorial position is in the process of being created to further develop the NZLCM centre.

Following publication earlier this year of the influential report Prosperity without Growth? by Professor Tim Jackson and the UK Sustainable Development Commission. Tim Jacksonâ€™s new book: Prosperity without Growth : Economics for a Finite Planet draws upon the SDC report, and is scheduled for release in Nov 09.

LCANZ is pleased to launch our new website, which will be used to facilitate connections and dialogue in the LCA/ LCM community, both within NZ and globally. This site will be our primary method to communicate information, news and events such as the forthcoming conference. Contributions of announcements, articles or events are welcome. Please forward to LCANZ Secretary Peter Garrett, who is coordinating this site.

Life Cycle Association New Zealand officially registered as an incorporated society in June 2009. Special thanks are due to The Ministry of Economic Development for providing significant initial support, and in particular Tim Strange for steering us through the processes of formalising the society. The societyâ€™s inaugural AGM meeting was held in Wellington on 23rd July, which included a presentation of the recently completed report: Life Cycle Inventory â€“ Review of data collection protocols by Barbara Nebel, Daniel Kellenberger, Andrew Alcorn and Peter Garrett. See below.

A study of global LCI data collection protocols was completed in July 2009. This study was commissioned by The Ministry of Economic Development and completed by Scion, in collaboration with Victoria University and ERM New Zealand. This report identified and reviewed LCI methodologies currently being used in New Zealand and internationally, and contained an assessment and recommendations of an approach for New Zealand. An LCI Steering group hosted by MED are subsequently considering the recommendations and discussing next steps. The report is available for download here.